Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of making a disk drive and related servo writers. The disk drive includes a data storage disk, an actuator arm, and a head connected to the actuator arm. The disk drive is connected to a servo writer that includes a push-arm that is configured to radially move the actuator arm relative to the disk. The method includes moving the push-arm of the servo writer a defined distance to push the actuator arm and position the head at a defined radial location on the disk. Servo fields are written through the head along an arc at the defined radial location on the disk. A sensor that contacts the actuator arm is used to generate an electrical vibration signal that is indicative of vibration between the push-arm and the actuator arm.